#ObesityCrisis

Once a symbol of prosperity in India, the pot belly has shifted from status symbol to a mounting health concern. A 2021 Lancet study positioned India second in global obesity rates, with about 180 million adults overweight or obese. Projections suggest this could rise to 450 million by 2050, approaching one‑third of the country’s population.

Central obesity, the fat that concentrates around the abdomen, poses distinct health risks beyond overall weight gain. Data from India’s National Family Health Survey shows more than 40% of urban women and 12% of men already face abdominal obesity. Alarmingly, nearly half of women aged 30–49 meet the country’s abdominal obesity criteria, defined by waist measurements above regional thresholds.

In India, the “pot belly” was once seen as a mark of affluence and success. Considered synonymous with aging gracefully or living a life of ease, it was a common archetype reflected in novels, films, and even cartoons. However, what was once a cultural depiction of prosperity has transformed into a major health concern. With India ranking second globally in obesity rates as of 2021, according to a Lancet study, an alarming 180 million Indians were categorized as overweight or obese. This number is projected to skyrocket to 450 million by 2050, nearly enveloping a third of the nation’s estimated population.